Iran’s diplomacy train not derailed: Khatibzadeh
4 Min Read
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson expects the US to make amends for former mistakes against the JCPOA, stressing that Iran remains on the diplomatic path.
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Iran’s diplomacy train has not derailed.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that Iran is still on the diplomatic track and that the train has not yet derailed.
When asked about the status of negotiations to lift sanctions against Iran, Khatibzadeh said during his weekly press conference on Monday that the US double standard policy was obvious to everyone and that Iran would listen to the Americans only if they were willing to make amends for former President Donald Trump's mistakes.
However, the current US administration's behavior is consistent with the failed Trump policy against Iran, according to the Spokesperson.
He stated that the current situation with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the result of the US withdrawal from the agreement and its use of so-called maximum pressure, which resulted in "abject failure" in their own words.
The diplomat recommended the US to return to the route of rejoining the JCPOA as soon as possible since Iran was ready for a good, long-term accord.
Deal could finalize if US adheres to JCPOA commitments
In response to the EU's Borrell's statement calling for the resumption of JCPOA talks, Khatibzadeh stated that the US government has caused the international community to distrust it, and as a result, Iran must be extremely cautious about the interests and rights of the Iranian people.
Despite the US hollow pledges, Iran continues to move toward negotiation. Khatibzadeh went on to say that the JCPOA has reached this point due to the US unilateral and illegal departure from the accord, as well as the imposition of maximum pressure on Iran.
"We hope that the American side will return to the path that results in the signing of the agreement as soon as possible. We are ready to reach a good and strong agreement," he added.
Read next: US in 'regular indirect contact' with Iran via EU for JCPOA return
Speaking on Iran's proposals to the US before the issuance of the anti-Iranian resolution, Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that before the BoG meeting and the issuance of the resolution, Iran attempted to pave the way for the agreement, adding that despite the US act of sabotage, Iran attempted to move the negotiation forward.
He went on to say, "Prior to the meeting of the Board of Governors, Iran's initiative was conveyed to the other side through Borrell, and we even conveyed this initiative and proposal of Iran through two other foreign ministers for the first time," adding that even though a roadmap and a timespan was designed, the US decided to delay the agreement.
War is not a solution to Syria crisis
In response to a query about Turkey's intervention in Syria, the top Iranian diplomat stated, "Iran-Turkey relations are good, multi-layered, and strategic, but the Syrian problem is one of the disputed cases that we tried to resolve as two actors in processes such as the Astana process."
"At the recent Astana meeting, we said that war is by no means the solution and that Syria's territorial integrity must be preserved, and we made this clear to our friends in Turkey," he added.
Khatibzadeh also mentioned the US sanctions put on Syria, calling them "clear economic terrorism against nations."
The Iranian Foreign Ministry official added that the US and its partners in the area and beyond used mercenaries to settle terrorists in Syria and destroy the Syrian central government, which was defeated by the Syrian people's resistance.
Russian FM to visit Iran this weekend
Regarding the visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister to Turkey, Khatibzadeh cited, "One of the most important issues we have in the region is cooperation with Turkey. We have had one of the most stable relations with Turkey in recent years. The two sides are trying to find a good date."
In addition, Khatibzadeh indicated that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Tehran this weekend.
Read next: Russian FM, Iranian diplomat condemn US behavior towards JCPOA
The Iranian official also mentioned South Korea's debt to Iran, saying that while the new Korean government has made promises in this area, Iran has yet to see any action.
"We give the new Korean government time to show in practice what it is doing to repay its debts," he added.
